Kate's Words-
tuberculosis- a disease when affecting the lungs.
Mother had tuberculosis you see.
Mother had a disease which affects the lungs you see.
Wizened- withered, shriveled and old.
Christoffels was the third and only other employee in the shop, a bent, wizened little man who looked older than Father though he was ten years younger.
Christoffels was the third and only other employee in the shop, a bent, withered little man who looked older than Father though he was ten years younger.
Woebegone- affected by woe.
I remembered th day six or seven years earlier when he had first come int the shop, so ragged and woebegone that I had assumed tha he was of the beggers who had the Beje marked as a sure meal.
I remembered th day six or seven years earlier when he had first come int the shop, so ragged and affected by woe/forlorn/troubled that I had assumed tha he was of the beggers who had the Beje marked as a sure meal.
Respledent- shining brilliantly; gleamig; splendid
Christoffels was respledent in a new black suit, new checkered vest, a snowy white shirt, flowerd tie,and stiff starched collar.
Christoffels was gleamig in a new black suit, new checkered vest, a snowy white shirt, flowerd tie,and stiff starched collar.
Ringlet- a curled lock of hair
In font of his right ear dangled a gray and frizzled ringlet, like the hair of a very old man.
In font of his right ear dangled a gray and frizzled curled lock of hair, like the hair of a very old man.
Anemia- a condition resulting from an insufficiency of red blood cells or by a loss of blood.
Betsie had been born with pernicious anemia.
Betsie had been born with pernicious insufficiency of red blood cells.
Guilder- The monentary unit of the netherlands equal to 100 Netherlands cents. Sliver coin.
There was a myth in our family, firmly believed i by all, that Tante Anna recived wages for this work-and indeed every Saturday Father faithfully paid her one guilder.
There was a myth in our family, firmly believed i by all, that Tante Anna recived wages for this work-and indeed every Saturday Father faithfully paid her one silver coin.
Vantage- a better position or condition; advantage.
Father would stand at his vantage point on the platform almost tiptoe with the joy of percision, holding his pocket watch and pad and pencil.
Father would stand at his advantage point on the platform almost tiptoe with the joy of percision, holding his pocket watch and pad and pencil.
Irretrievably- undeniable- cannot be refuted
I took that long strong hand, looked up into those deep brown eyes and fell irretievably in love.
I took that long strong hand, looked up into those deep brown eyes and fell undeniably in love.
Spaarne- Is a river in north Holland.
That meant the windmill on the Spaarne, or the swans on the canal.
That meant the windmill on the river in north Holland, or the swans on the canal.
Rapturous- full of, feeling, or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight.
My heart pored out a rapturous reply, but my mouth was still filled with the sticky remaind of bun and it never reached my lips.
My heart pored out a full of feeling reply/ecstatically/joyfully, but my mouth was still filled with the sticky remaind of bun and it never reached my lips.
Sanatorium- a hospital for the treatment of chronic diseases.
The diease was regarded as incurable: the only known treatment was rest at a sanastorium and that was only for the rich.
The diease was regarded as incurable: the only known treatment was rest at a hospital for the treatment of chronic diseases and that was only for the rich.
Paraphernalia- equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.
Tante Jans, who loved medical paraphernalia of ever kind, took a tremendous fancy to the new doctor and from then consulted him as often as her finances would permit.
Tante Jans, who loved medical equipment of ever kind, took a tremendous fancy to the new doctor and from then consulted him as often as her finances would permit.
Idling- not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing.
From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched the idling by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.
From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched the unemployed by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.
Imperiously- domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing.
But it still squealed to a stop, spitting sparks from rails and wire, when Tante Jans stood impreiously before the Beje.
But it still squealed to a stop, spitting sparks from rails and wire, when Tante Jans stood in a haughty manner before the Beje. Nice job, Kate...check the purple highlights. You chose words that are difficult, and you explained most of them very well.
Mrs. M
Livvie's Words~
Eminence: high station; rank
There it stood now, as I stepped back into the shop, still tall and gleaming on its concrete block, but shorn now of eminence.
There it stood now, as I stepped back into the shop, still tall and gleaming on its concrete block, but shorn now of its rank.
Itinerant: traveling from place to place; journeying
It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the iternant clockmender who trudged on foot throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the journeying clockmender who trudged on foot throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
Auspicious: promising success; favorable
"Christoffels, my dear associate," Father murmured in his formal, old-fashioned way, "what joy to see you on this - er - auspicious day."
"Christoffels, my dear associate," Father murmured in his formal, old-fashioned way, "what joy to see you on this - er - favorable day."
Ponderous: of great weight, heavy
He sank his ponderous bulk into a chair beside Father, fixed one eye on me, the other on the ceiling, and said, "Five lumps, please."
He sank his heavy bulk into a chair beside Father, fixed one eye on me, the other on the ceiling, and said, "Five lumps, please."
Consternation: a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay
I brought him his cup of coffee, thick with sugar, and watched him look around in mock consternation.
I brought him his cup of coffee, thick with sugar, and watched him look around in mock dismay.
Millinery: women's hats
The van Dyvers owned the millinery shop two doors down.
The van Dyvers owned the women's hat shop two doors down.
Remonstrated: said or pleaded in protest, objection, or disapproval.
"And yet, Jans," Father remonstrated gently, "medicine has prolonged many a life."
"And yet, Jans," Father objected gently, "medicine has prolonged many a life."
Zeal: fervor; ardor
Tante Jans seized the pot and glared at it with rightious zeal.
Tante Jans seized the pot and glared at it with rightious fervor.
Sexton: an official at a church or synagogue
Best of all was when there were concerts at the cathedral, because a relative was sexton there.
Best of all was when there were concerts at the cathedral, because a relative was an official of the church there.
Dank: unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and, often, chilly
Hell, I knew, was a hot place, so heaven must be like this cold, dank, holy building, where smoke rose like incense from the footwarmers of the paying customers.
Hell, I knew, was a hot place, so heaven must be like this cold, moist/chilly, holy building, where smoke rose like incense from the footwarmers of the paying customers.
Daguerreotypes: pictures made on a silver surface sensitized with iodine that are developed by exposure to mercury vapor
Some faded Daguerreotypes of children who by now must have children and grandchildren of their own.
Some faded pictures made on a silver surface sensitized with iodine of children who by now must have children and grandchildren of their own.
Eaves: the overhanging lower edge of a roof
But I would linger in that narrow passage under the eaves, yearning to say something, to heal something
But I would linger in that narrow passage under the edge of the roof, yearning to say something, to heal something.
Gallstones: abnormal stone-like masses formed in the gallbladder
Always before when pain from the gallstones got too bad she'd had an operation.
Always before when pain from the stone-like masses in the gallbladder got too bad she'd had an operation.
Implicitly: unquestioningly
"All these tests and tubes," said Tante Jans, who believed in them implicitly, "what do they really prove?"
"All these tests and tubes," said Tante Jans, who believed in them unquestioningly, "what do they really prove?"
Infinitesimal: exceedingly small
Father, his jeweler's glass in his eye, was bent over the shoulder of the newest apprentice, deftly selecting an infinitesimal part from the array before them on the workbench.
Father, his jeweler's glass in his eye, was bent over the shoulder of the newest apprentice, deftly selecting an exceedingly small part from the array before them on the workbench.
Livvie - nice job. Your choice of words was equally as good. I hope this increases your vocabulary and that you remember and use some of these words.
Mrs. M
Katie's Words
Careened (pg. 9)
to lean, away, or tip to one side while in motion
'Today I careened onto the sidewalk and burst through the door with never a knock.'
'Today I leaned onto the sidewalk and burst through the door with never a knock.'
Astronomical (pg 4)
extremely great
'Father would take the train to Amsterdam each week to bring back the time from the Naval Observatory and it was a source of pride to him that the astronomical clock was never more than 2 seconds off in the seven days.'
'Father would take the train to Amsterdam each week to bring back the time from the Naval Observatory and it was a source of pride to him that the extremely great clock was never more than 2 seconds off in the seven days.'
Painstaking (pg 3)
very careful, particular, scrupulous
'There was the high bench over where Father had been bent over for so many years, doing the delicate, painstaking work that was known as the best in Holland.'
'There was the high bench over where Father had been bent over for so many years, doing the delicate, very careful work that was known as the best in Holland.'
Itinerant (pg 8)
traveling from place to place, especially in connections with some employment or vocation
'It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the itinerant clockmender who trudged throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
'It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the traveling clockmender who trudged throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
Auspicious (pg 8)
with the signs of success, favorable
'What joy to have you on this -er- auspicious day'
'What joy to have you on this -er- favorable day'
Derelict (pg 52) abandoned, deserted
'The soup kettle and the coffee pot on the back of the stove, which I never seemed to fine time for, were simmering again the first week Betsie took over, and soon a stream of postmen and police, derelict old men and shivering young errand boys were pausing inside our alley door to stamp their feet and cup their hands around hot mugs, just as they had when Mama was around.' 'The soup kettle and the coffee pot on the back of the stove, which I never seemed to fine time for, were simmering again the first week Betsie took over, and soon a stream of postmen and police, abandoned old men and shivering young errand boys were pausing inside our alley door to stamp their feet and cup their hands around hot mugs, just as they had when Mama was around.'
Ignominy (pg 56) public shame, disgrace, dishonor
'The ultimate ignominy came the day Father set the astronomical clock by radio.' 'The ultimate disgrace came the day Father set the astronomical clock by radio.' Sonorous (pg 16)
loud, deep, or resonant, rich and full in sound
'Then the Prime Minister's voice was speaking to us, sonorous and soothing.'
'Then the Prime Minister's voice was speaking to us, deep and soothing.'
Eulogies (pg 65)
a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing
'Eulogies of German leaders, denunciations or traitors and saboteurs, appeals for the unity of the "Nordic peoples."'
'Speeches of German leaders, denunciations or traitors and saboteurs, appeals for the unity of the "Nordic peoples."'
Facade (pg 62)
the front of a building
'I saw the Grote Markt, half a block away, as clearly as though I were standing there, saw the town hall and St. Bavo's and the fish mart with its stair-stepped facade.'
'I saw the Grote Markt, half a block away, as clearly as though I were standing there, saw the town hall and St. Bavo's and the fish mart with its stair-stepped building.'
Furrier (pg 63)
a person who buys and sells furs
'One store owner, an outspoken anti-Semite, was helping Weil the Jewish furrier put up boards where a pane of glass had shaken loose.'
'One store owner, an outspoken anti-Semite, was helping Weil the Jewish fur seller put up boards where a pane of glass had shaken loose.'
Impotence (pg 65) the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.
'He was 16 at the time of the invasion and shared with other Dutch teenagers and the restless energy of anger and impotence.' 'He was 16 at the time of the invasion and shared with other Dutch teenagers and the restless energy of anger and weakness.'
Quisling (pg 67)
a person who betrays his or her own country, traitor
'The National Socialist Bond, the quisling organization of Holland, grew larger and bolder with each month on occupation.' 'The National Socialist Bond, the traitor organization of Holland, grew larger and bolder with each month on occupation.'
Susceptible (pg 67)
exposed, naive
'Nazism was a disease to which the Dutch too were susceptible, and those with the anti-Semitic bias fell sick of it first.'
'Nazism was a disease to which the Dutch too were exposed, and those with the anti-Semitic bias fell sick of it first.'
Link to homework page
Kate's Words-
tuberculosis- a disease when affecting the lungs.
Mother had tuberculosis you see.
Mother had a disease which affects the lungs you see.
Wizened- withered, shriveled and old.
Christoffels was the third and only other employee in the shop, a bent, wizened little man who looked older than Father though he was ten years younger.
Christoffels was the third and only other employee in the shop, a bent, withered little man who looked older than Father though he was ten years younger.
Woebegone- affected by woe.
I remembered th day six or seven years earlier when he had first come int the shop, so ragged and woebegone that I had assumed tha he was of the beggers who had the Beje marked as a sure meal.
I remembered th day six or seven years earlier when he had first come int the shop, so ragged and affected by woe/forlorn/troubled that I had assumed tha he was of the beggers who had the Beje marked as a sure meal.
Respledent- shining brilliantly; gleamig; splendid
Christoffels was respledent in a new black suit, new checkered vest, a snowy white shirt, flowerd tie,and stiff starched collar.
Christoffels was gleamig in a new black suit, new checkered vest, a snowy white shirt, flowerd tie,and stiff starched collar.
Ringlet- a curled lock of hair
In font of his right ear dangled a gray and frizzled ringlet, like the hair of a very old man.
In font of his right ear dangled a gray and frizzled curled lock of hair, like the hair of a very old man.
Anemia- a condition resulting from an insufficiency of red blood cells or by a loss of blood.
Betsie had been born with pernicious anemia.
Betsie had been born with pernicious insufficiency of red blood cells.
Guilder- The monentary unit of the netherlands equal to 100 Netherlands cents. Sliver coin.
There was a myth in our family, firmly believed i by all, that Tante Anna recived wages for this work-and indeed every Saturday Father faithfully paid her one guilder.
There was a myth in our family, firmly believed i by all, that Tante Anna recived wages for this work-and indeed every Saturday Father faithfully paid her one silver coin.
Vantage- a better position or condition; advantage.
Father would stand at his vantage point on the platform almost tiptoe with the joy of percision, holding his pocket watch and pad and pencil.
Father would stand at his advantage point on the platform almost tiptoe with the joy of percision, holding his pocket watch and pad and pencil.
Irretrievably- undeniable- cannot be refuted
I took that long strong hand, looked up into those deep brown eyes and fell irretievably in love.
I took that long strong hand, looked up into those deep brown eyes and fell undeniably in love.
Spaarne- Is a river in north Holland.
That meant the windmill on the Spaarne, or the swans on the canal.
That meant the windmill on the river in north Holland, or the swans on the canal.
Rapturous- full of, feeling, or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight.
My heart pored out a rapturous reply, but my mouth was still filled with the sticky remaind of bun and it never reached my lips.
My heart pored out a full of feeling reply/ecstatically/joyfully, but my mouth was still filled with the sticky remaind of bun and it never reached my lips.
Sanatorium- a hospital for the treatment of chronic diseases.
The diease was regarded as incurable: the only known treatment was rest at a sanastorium and that was only for the rich.
The diease was regarded as incurable: the only known treatment was rest at a hospital for the treatment of chronic diseases and that was only for the rich.
Paraphernalia- equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity.
Tante Jans, who loved medical paraphernalia of ever kind, took a tremendous fancy to the new doctor and from then consulted him as often as her finances would permit.
Tante Jans, who loved medical equipment of ever kind, took a tremendous fancy to the new doctor and from then consulted him as often as her finances would permit.
Idling- not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing.
From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched the idling by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.
From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched the unemployed by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.
Imperiously- domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing.
But it still squealed to a stop, spitting sparks from rails and wire, when Tante Jans stood impreiously before the Beje.
But it still squealed to a stop, spitting sparks from rails and wire, when Tante Jans stood in a haughty manner before the Beje.
Nice job, Kate...check the purple highlights. You chose words that are difficult, and you explained most of them very well.
Mrs. M
Livvie's Words~
Eminence: high station; rank
There it stood now, as I stepped back into the shop, still tall and gleaming on its concrete block, but shorn now of eminence.
There it stood now, as I stepped back into the shop, still tall and gleaming on its concrete block, but shorn now of its rank.
Itinerant: traveling from place to place; journeying
It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the iternant clockmender who trudged on foot throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the journeying clockmender who trudged on foot throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
Auspicious: promising success; favorable
"Christoffels, my dear associate," Father murmured in his formal, old-fashioned way, "what joy to see you on this - er - auspicious day."
"Christoffels, my dear associate," Father murmured in his formal, old-fashioned way, "what joy to see you on this - er - favorable day."
Ponderous: of great weight, heavy
He sank his ponderous bulk into a chair beside Father, fixed one eye on me, the other on the ceiling, and said, "Five lumps, please."
He sank his heavy bulk into a chair beside Father, fixed one eye on me, the other on the ceiling, and said, "Five lumps, please."
Consternation: a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay
I brought him his cup of coffee, thick with sugar, and watched him look around in mock consternation.
I brought him his cup of coffee, thick with sugar, and watched him look around in mock dismay.
Millinery: women's hats
The van Dyvers owned the millinery shop two doors down.
The van Dyvers owned the women's hat shop two doors down.
Remonstrated: said or pleaded in protest, objection, or disapproval.
"And yet, Jans," Father remonstrated gently, "medicine has prolonged many a life."
"And yet, Jans," Father objected gently, "medicine has prolonged many a life."
Zeal: fervor; ardor
Tante Jans seized the pot and glared at it with rightious zeal.
Tante Jans seized the pot and glared at it with rightious fervor.
Sexton: an official at a church or synagogue
Best of all was when there were concerts at the cathedral, because a relative was sexton there.
Best of all was when there were concerts at the cathedral, because a relative was an official of the church there.
Dank: unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and, often, chilly
Hell, I knew, was a hot place, so heaven must be like this cold, dank, holy building, where smoke rose like incense from the footwarmers of the paying customers.
Hell, I knew, was a hot place, so heaven must be like this cold, moist/chilly, holy building, where smoke rose like incense from the footwarmers of the paying customers.
Daguerreotypes: pictures made on a silver surface sensitized with iodine that are developed by exposure to mercury vapor
Some faded Daguerreotypes of children who by now must have children and grandchildren of their own.
Some faded pictures made on a silver surface sensitized with iodine of children who by now must have children and grandchildren of their own.
Eaves: the overhanging lower edge of a roof
But I would linger in that narrow passage under the eaves, yearning to say something, to heal something
But I would linger in that narrow passage under the edge of the roof, yearning to say something, to heal something.
Gallstones: abnormal stone-like masses formed in the gallbladder
Always before when pain from the gallstones got too bad she'd had an operation.
Always before when pain from the stone-like masses in the gallbladder got too bad she'd had an operation.
Implicitly: unquestioningly
"All these tests and tubes," said Tante Jans, who believed in them implicitly, "what do they really prove?"
"All these tests and tubes," said Tante Jans, who believed in them unquestioningly, "what do they really prove?"
Infinitesimal: exceedingly small
Father, his jeweler's glass in his eye, was bent over the shoulder of the newest apprentice, deftly selecting an infinitesimal part from the array before them on the workbench.
Father, his jeweler's glass in his eye, was bent over the shoulder of the newest apprentice, deftly selecting an exceedingly small part from the array before them on the workbench.
Livvie - nice job. Your choice of words was equally as good. I hope this increases your vocabulary and that you remember and use some of these words.
Mrs. M
Katie's Words
Careened (pg. 9)
to lean, away, or tip to one side while in motion
'Today I careened onto the sidewalk and burst through the door with never a knock.'
'Today I leaned onto the sidewalk and burst through the door with never a knock.'
Astronomical (pg 4)
extremely great
'Father would take the train to Amsterdam each week to bring back the time from the Naval Observatory and it was a source of pride to him that the astronomical clock was never more than 2 seconds off in the seven days.'
'Father would take the train to Amsterdam each week to bring back the time from the Naval Observatory and it was a source of pride to him that the extremely great clock was never more than 2 seconds off in the seven days.'
Painstaking (pg 3)
very careful, particular, scrupulous
'There was the high bench over where Father had been bent over for so many years, doing the delicate, painstaking work that was known as the best in Holland.'
'There was the high bench over where Father had been bent over for so many years, doing the delicate, very careful work that was known as the best in Holland.'
Itinerant (pg 8)
traveling from place to place, especially in connections with some employment or vocation
'It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the itinerant clockmender who trudged throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
'It turned out that Christoffels belonged to an almost vanished trade, the traveling clockmender who trudged throughout the land, regulating and repairing the tall pendulum clocks that were the pride of every Dutch farmhouse.
Auspicious (pg 8)
with the signs of success, favorable
'What joy to have you on this -er- auspicious day'
'What joy to have you on this -er- favorable day'
Derelict (pg 52)
abandoned, deserted
'The soup kettle and the coffee pot on the back of the stove, which I never seemed to fine time for, were simmering again the first week Betsie took over, and soon a stream of postmen and police, derelict old men and shivering young errand boys were pausing inside our alley door to stamp their feet and cup their hands around hot mugs, just as they had when Mama was around.'
'The soup kettle and the coffee pot on the back of the stove, which I never seemed to fine time for, were simmering again the first week Betsie took over, and soon a stream of postmen and police, abandoned old men and shivering young errand boys were pausing inside our alley door to stamp their feet and cup their hands around hot mugs, just as they had when Mama was around.'
Ignominy (pg 56)
public shame, disgrace, dishonor
'The ultimate ignominy came the day Father set the astronomical clock by radio.'
'The ultimate disgrace came the day Father set the astronomical clock by radio.'
Sonorous (pg 16)
loud, deep, or resonant, rich and full in sound
'Then the Prime Minister's voice was speaking to us, sonorous and soothing.'
'Then the Prime Minister's voice was speaking to us, deep and soothing.'
Eulogies (pg 65)
a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing
'Eulogies of German leaders, denunciations or traitors and saboteurs, appeals for the unity of the "Nordic peoples."'
'Speeches of German leaders, denunciations or traitors and saboteurs, appeals for the unity of the "Nordic peoples."'
Facade (pg 62)
the front of a building
'I saw the Grote Markt, half a block away, as clearly as though I were standing there, saw the town hall and St. Bavo's and the fish mart with its stair-stepped facade.'
'I saw the Grote Markt, half a block away, as clearly as though I were standing there, saw the town hall and St. Bavo's and the fish mart with its stair-stepped building.'
Furrier (pg 63)
a person who buys and sells furs
'One store owner, an outspoken anti-Semite, was helping Weil the Jewish furrier put up boards where a pane of glass had shaken loose.'
'One store owner, an outspoken anti-Semite, was helping Weil the Jewish fur seller put up boards where a pane of glass had shaken loose.'
Impotence (pg 65)
the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.
'He was 16 at the time of the invasion and shared with other Dutch teenagers and the restless energy of anger and impotence.'
'He was 16 at the time of the invasion and shared with other Dutch teenagers and the restless energy of anger and weakness.'
Quisling (pg 67)
a person who betrays his or her own country, traitor
'The National Socialist Bond, the quisling organization of Holland, grew larger and bolder with each month on occupation.'
'The National Socialist Bond, the traitor organization of Holland, grew larger and bolder with each month on occupation.'
Susceptible (pg 67)
exposed, naive
'Nazism was a disease to which the Dutch too were susceptible, and those with the anti-Semitic bias fell sick of it first.'
'Nazism was a disease to which the Dutch too were exposed, and those with the anti-Semitic bias fell sick of it first.'
Pungent (pg 84)
highly flavored
'After 2 years, rich, black, pungent Dutch coffee.'
'After 2 years, rich, black, highly flavored Dutch coffee.'
You did a nice job of choosing words and explaining them.
Mrs. M